CBS Colleagues Post Bail for Letterman Suspect, Still in Shock over Arrest

One week after he was arrested on charges of extortion against Late Show host David Letterman, colleagues of Robert Joel Halderman are still in shock over the 48 Hours Mystery producer's alleged criminal activities, reports The New York Times.

Marcy McGinnis was Halderman's boss in the 1990s, when she served as the London bureau chief for CBS News. "I said to my mother that this was like her waking up to find out I'd been arrested for this," McGinnis told the Times about Halderman's arrest.

Letterman suspect pleads not guilty

Former CBS News correspondent Tom Fenton felt "absolutely dumbfounded" by the case against Halderman. "It's like he was struck by lightning," Fenton said.

Halderman's lawyer told the Times that two of the producer's co-workers, Andy Soto and Marc Goldbaum, posted the $200,000 bond for Halderman's bail.

CBS also denied an AmLaw Daily report Monday that the broadcast company was conducting an internal investigation of Halderman, a company employee for 27 years.

David Letterman admits having affairs, claims extortion

Both Halderman and the woman at the center of the scandal, Stephanie Birkitt, are on leave from their respective posts, according to the Times. Halderman has been suspended with pay from CBS while Birkitt is on a paid leave of absence from Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants.

Halderman was arrested last week on one count of attempted first-degree grand larceny after he allegedly tried to extort $2 million from Letterman over his affairs with female employees. Halderman has pleaded not guilty to the charge which, if convicted, could land him behind bars for five to 15 years.